Chapter 148: Return to the Eastsea Mecha Association!

After leaving the Eastsea Spirit Pagoda, Jing Xiaoyu headed straight home.

It was lunchtime, and he wanted to eat with Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin.

When he arrived, Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin were busy in the kitchen. Hearing the door, Jing Ziyuan poked her head out and called, "A-Yu, you're back? Sit down for a while. Lunch will be ready soon!"

"Okay, Mom!" Jing Xiaoyu replied cheerfully.

He headed upstairs to his room, where he took out the items he'd packed from his dormitory using the Heaven Phoenix Ring. Carefully placing everything back where it belonged, he then left his room and walked into the adjacent one—Na'er's room.

Na'er's room remained untouched, just as it had always been. Over the years, Lin Xin had meticulously cleaned it as part of her daily routine, as though Na'er still lived there. The room was spotless, perfectly preserved.

Jing Xiaoyu sat on the edge of Na'er's bed, his eyes lingering on the stuffed toy sitting on the nightstand. His expression shifted subtly as he pondered. When I get to Shrek Academy, I'll finally see Na'er again… right?

Though not entirely certain, he hoped Na'er was there, just like in the original story. He hoped she had already been taken in as a disciple by Yun Ming and Yali. The unknown made him uneasy, but all he could do now was pray that everything would align.

After about ten minutes, Jing Xiaoyu heard Jing Ziyuan call for lunch and headed downstairs to the dining room.

Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin had prepared an elaborate meal, far more than usual.

While serving Jing Xiaoyu food, Jing Ziyuan asked, "A-Yu, once you leave for Shrek Academy, how long will it be until you're back?"

"I'm not sure, Mom," Jing Xiaoyu replied, shaking his head helplessly. "Shrek Academy's break schedule isn't like other schools. I don't know when I'll get holidays or how long they'll last."

"Oh, I see." Jing Ziyuan sighed with resignation. "That's Shrek Academy for you. Even their vacations are different."

Hearing this, Jing Xiaoyu almost rolled his eyes. He couldn't help but notice how Jing Ziyuan's attitude mirrored that of most ordinary people on the continent: Shrek Academy was seen as the best at everything, without question.

"Don't worry, Mom. Once I get to Shrek Academy, I'll call you right away," Jing Xiaoyu assured her.

"Alright, that sounds good!" Jing Ziyuan beamed at him. "I'll be waiting for your good news!"

Lin Xin, however, sighed and added, "Once A-Yu leaves for Shrek Academy, it'll just be the two of us here, Ziyuan."

"Yeah…" Jing Ziyuan's smile softened into something bittersweet. "I always knew this day would come. A-Yu would grow up, make something of himself, and leave to carve his own path. But I didn't think it would come so soon. I can still remember when he was little—it feels like just yesterday."

Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes reddened with emotion.

Seeing this, Jing Xiaoyu reached out and held her hand gently. "Mom, don't be sad. I'm just going to school, not leaving you for good. I'll come back during holidays. Who knows, maybe I'll even bring Na'er back with me."

His words startled both women. Lin Xin's head snapped up, her voice trembling with excitement as she asked, "A-Yu… what did you say? Na'er? Do you have news about her?"

"Yes," Jing Xiaoyu confirmed with a serious expression. "I've learned that there's a good chance Na'er is in Shrek City. Once I get to Shrek Academy, I'll do everything I can to find her and bring her home."

"That's wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Lin Xin's eyes glistened with tears as joy overcame her.

"That girl hasn't sent a single letter in three years…" Jing Ziyuan added, a mix of relief and fondness in her voice. "A-Yu, when you see her, you need to give her a good scolding on our behalf!"

"I will, Mom," Jing Xiaoyu replied with a smile.

"Alright, let's eat first." Jing Ziyuan patted Lin Xin's shoulder reassuringly and added, "I took seven days off work. Let's spend the next few days enjoying ourselves with A-Yu."

"That's a great idea." Lin Xin wiped away her tears and smiled brightly.

"Perfect! Let's plan a trip to some of the attractions around Eastsea City," Jing Xiaoyu suggested. "But we'll start tomorrow. I have to head to the Mecha Association this afternoon."

"Alright, we'll start tomorrow," Jing Ziyuan agreed, smiling. "Lin Xin and I can use this afternoon to plan everything."

"Sounds good!" Jing Xiaoyu nodded enthusiastically.

After lunch, Jing Xiaoyu rested briefly before hopping onto his trusty bicycle and heading toward the Eastsea Mecha Association.

It didn't take long for him to arrive. Jing Xiaoyu went straight to the top floor and entered the office of Yu Qian, the president of the Mecha Designers' Association. Inside, Yu Qian, Wang Chonggu, and Luo Feng were already waiting for him.

"Xiaoyu's here!" Yu Qian greeted him warmly.

"Kid, you're here to say goodbye, aren't you?" Wang Chonggu grumbled, frowning slightly.

"Good thing I didn't slack off when Old Wang told me to," Luo Feng added, looking relieved. "Otherwise, I'd have missed you this time."

"Grandma Yu, Grandpa Wang, Grandpa Luo," Jing Xiaoyu greeted them respectfully. These three elders had always been kind to him, and it was only right for him to bid them farewell.

"Xiaoyu, in your message, you said you're leaving soon for the Shrek Academy entrance exams. Why so sudden?" Yu Qian asked with curiosity.

"It's not sudden, Grandma Yu," Jing Xiaoyu replied with a smile. "Getting into Shrek Academy has always been our Zero Class's goal. Their admissions process only happens once every three years, so we can't afford to miss it."

"That's true." Luo Feng nodded solemnly. "Shrek Academy only accepts students under fifteen. You're already thirteen, so this is the perfect time."

"How do you feel, kid? Confident?" Wang Chonggu asked, slapping Jing Xiaoyu's shoulder.

"Of course!" Jing Xiaoyu's voice rose with enthusiasm. "You know my strength, Grandpa Wang. Passing Shrek Academy's entrance exam will be a piece of cake!"

"Haha, good! That's the spirit!" Wang Chonggu laughed heartily. "But don't forget your mecha training once you get there. I'm still counting on you to become a Rank 9 Mecha Designer and take over for me!"

"Nonsense! He should be taking over our Mecha Repair Association!" Luo Feng shot back indignantly, starting a familiar argument.

"Shut up, both of you!" Yu Qian scolded, her face darkening. "You two old fools, don't embarrass yourselves in front of Xiaoyu!"

Wang Chonggu and Luo Feng exchanged sheepish smiles, scratching their heads as they settled back into their seats.

Jing Xiaoyu smiled politely, already used to their bickering.

"Xiaoyu, I have some good news for you," Yu Qian said with a grin. "Your mecha is finished!"

"Really?!" Jing Xiaoyu's eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. He had expected to wait until after returning from Shrek Academy to get his mecha. The news was a delightful surprise.

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